Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 800 CE. A remarkable gold septum ornament in a crescent shape with embossed scrolling motifs, interpreted as representing waves or octopus tentacles. The gold sheet is 78.5% to 79.1% (equivalent to 18K+ to 19K) with silver ranging from 17% to 18%! The perforation at the top indicates its use as a septum piercing, and interestingly, this panel would cover the wearer's mouth and chin, symbolizing high authority. Moche elites wore nose ornaments, often obscuring the mouth, as political and religious status symbols, conveying social status, lineage, and spiritual significance. Believed to grant supernatural power, these adornments played a key role in Moche rituals and were frequently depicted in pottery and sculpture. Size: 7.3" L x 3" W x 4.5" H (18.5 cm x 7.6 cm x 11.4 cm); gold quality: 78.5% to 79.1% (equivalent to 18K+ to 19K); silver quality: 17% to 18% weight: 19.8 grams

Provenance: private Parker, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Peyton Wright Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Don Tharpe collection, Midland, Virginia, USA, 2005; ex-Gary Hendershott collection, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, 2003 - 2004; ex-Jerry Bock collection, Maui, Hawaii, USA

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#190156

  • Condition: Indentations and slight creasing, but otherwise excellent. Choice.

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January 9, 2025 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000